A tragic road accident has claimed at least 25 lives after a passenger bus erupted in flames following a collision with a motorcycle. Several others were injured in the horrific crash that took place early Friday near Kurnool district in Andhra Pradesh state, India. According to police reports, the fire spread within minutes, trapping dozens of passengers who were asleep at the time of the accident.
The bus, which had 44 passengers on board, was travelling between Hyderabad in Telangana and Bengaluru in Karnataka when the incident occurred. Authorities say a motorcycle rammed into the speeding bus from behind, becoming lodged underneath. The friction and sparks from the impact reportedly ignited the bus’s fuel tank, triggering a massive fire that engulfed the entire vehicle.
Senior Police Officer Vikrant Patil told reporters that as smoke started spreading, the driver stopped the bus and tried to extinguish the fire using a fire extinguisher, but the flames were too intense to control. Within minutes, the entire bus was engulfed, leaving passengers trapped with little time to react.
Some passengers managed to smash windows and jump out to safety, sustaining minor injuries. However, many others were trapped inside and perished before emergency responders could reach the scene. In total, 18 passengers escaped the inferno and were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, while the motorcycle rider also died on the spot.
Rescue operations were carried out by police and firefighters who battled the flames for several hours before recovering charred bodies from the vehicle. A forensic team was deployed to investigate the cause of the fire and confirm the number of victims. Authorities are also investigating whether poor road lighting or excessive speed contributed to the crash.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to the bereaved families, describing the incident as “deeply saddening.” He also prayed for the quick recovery of the injured. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu extended sympathies and pledged government support to the victims’ families, emphasizing the need for stricter road safety measures.
The deadly bus fire is the second such accident in India in less than two weeks. Earlier this month, a short circuit sparked a fire on a passenger bus in Rajasthan, killing at least 20 people. These back-to-back incidents have reignited concern over road safety standards in India, where thousands die annually due to poor infrastructure, speeding, and vehicle defects.
Safety experts have urged the Indian government to tighten vehicle inspection regulations, ensure buses are equipped with functional fire extinguishers, and improve emergency exit designs. Many long-distance buses in India still operate without proper safety equipment, making passengers vulnerable during accidents.
Messages of condolence have poured in from around the world, including from Kenyan transport safety advocates, who highlighted the need for better safety protocols across global transport networks. The heartbreaking tragedy serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for improved road safety standards, stricter enforcement, and better emergency preparedness to prevent such devastating losses in the future.
May the souls of the departed rest in peace.
